Red Planet

I wake to the voice of the storm, flashes of crimson lightning painting cracks across the wall. My chest tightens, and I roll sideways, pressing the mask against my mouth and nose. When I close my eyes, I'm back in the swirling sand and biting cold, where all I see is red.

The rain comes next, hissing as it strikes the window, and I jerk upright. My panic is a rising, biting thing, but I have no time for it. Move, Piper. I shove my feet into boots and arms into my scarred blue jacket. The door slides open with the slap of my palm, and then I’m out in the dim neon-lit corridor. The engine's rumble is louder here, and I can barely hear the cry of sand-filled winds across the hull.

Naima’s orange-spiked eyes lock on mine, smudged in sleepless shadow. “She’s ready, Captain,” she says as she pulls off the wall. The ship hums in reply.

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” I start to walk to the bridge.

Naima nods and falls into step beside me as she has every night since our return. Ten attempts to descend back to the surface, and today will be one more.

The storm surges across the ship, and we brace as the floor shudders. Somewhere metal screams. This is it, our final chance before we must leave this broken planet behind. Today we will rescue my crew.